[SecretSquirrel2]

I am very lost on this lab. Chemistry really isn't my strong suit.

First, we were told to do a bunch of preliminary tests on 21 known cations. Just to see what happens, what the reactions look like, etc.

They give us 4 unknowns. We are also given a flow chart. First unknown was one of the 21 cations we tested. Second unknown had two cations, but they were only apart of the groups (Groups 1, 2, 3, 4. There's group 5 but that's not included in that unknown). Those were easy. Then comes the last two unknowns. Both contain two cations and we are only told what groups each *could* be in. I am able to separate the cations out. But I have no idea how to test them and ID them. I asked my TA and she told me to test the supernatant and the precipitate. I have no idea how. Has anyone had this lab before and know anything? Would be a great help.

[Arkcon]

OK, you have the flowchart.  That's good, it's an important first step.  Now, as I understand it, you have 2 cations, that can be from any of the groups.  Look at the flow chart.  What does it tell you to do, and in what sequence?  Can you piece together an action plan, to find out what unknown cations you have?  For eample, what is Group I (1, one, the first group)?  What cations are present?  What are they tested with?  How do the members of the other groups behave with that particular test reagent?  That last one is a hard one, it's not really part of the flow chart, but is instead based on some basic chemistry, that you've likely been taught earlier.  Can you figure out how this property, helps the flow chart work for qualitative analysis of cations?